Firearm.



No. 801,295. PATENTED 0GT.10, 1905. P. F. ZEISE.

FIREARM.

APPLIOMION FILED APB. 27,1904.

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Inma/7 PATENTED OCT. 10, 1905.

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P. F. ZEISE.

FIREARM.

APPLIOATION FILED APB. 27, 1904.

A UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

FlREARNl.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 107 1905.

Application iiled April 27,l 1904. Serial No. 205.158.

To MZ 1071/0711, it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER F. ZnIsE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Middleport, in the county of Meigs and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Firearms; and I do declare `the following to be a clear, full, and exact description thereof, attention being called to the accompanyingtwo sheets of drawings, with the reference characters marked thereon,which-form also a part 'of this specication.

This invention relates to improvements in firearms, like Shotguns and vsimilar smallarms, which are loaded at the breech. The invention consists of certain improvements in construction in the following parts and features; in the means whereby the mere act of loading edects also the cocking of the gunautomatically; in the means whereby the hammer may also be manipulatedthat is, cocked or let down positively by direct manual manipulation; in a shell-extractor operating both automatically and positively; in a safetydock to prevent accidental and premature discharge of the loaded gun. Finally, there are such features of construction in general and in detail as will be necessary in connection with the parts mentioned and in order to obtain a proper eiiicient and harmonious operation and complementary interaction of the entire mechanism. I

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims, is found a full description of theinvention, together with its manipulation, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 illustrates my invention in connection with a shotgun, which latter is shown in side elevation. Fig. 2 in a similar but enlarged view shows the middle portion of the same gun, parts being broken away. Fig. 3 is a top view of the gun shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. f1 is a longitudinal vertical section of the gun. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, of whichit shows the middle portion at an enlarged scale, illustrating, essentially, the general mechanism. Fig. 6 is an under side view of parts shown in the preceding figure, it showing more particularly the breech-block with parts'broken away. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, only enlarged, and shows the opposite side and the gun open for loading'. Fig. Sis a top view of Fig. 7, showing the shell-ejector mechanism, the gun-barrel being removed. Fig. 9 shows a section on line 9 9 of Fig. 5 looking toward the right. Fig. 10 shows the open rear end of the gun, being a section on line 10 lO of Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line 11 11 of Figs. 5 and 7 and shows the gun Open for loading. Fig. 12 shows the complementary or opposite surface to Fig. 10 and section 10 16, it being the front side of the breech-block opposite the open rear end of the gun. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the removable locking-collar whereby the separable parts of the gun are detachably held to each other.

ln the drawings, 10 is the stock or grip of the gun, as usual of wood, and 11 is the barrel, which may be either rifled or smooth, as shown. The open rear end of the barrel is closed by the breech-block 12, attached so as to form a part of the stock. This attachment is preferably by ianges or tangs 9.

The gun-lock, meaning thereby the members comprising the loading, cooking, and iiring mechanism, is contained partly in this breech-block and front part of the stock and partly in an enlargement on the under side of the rear end of the barrel and directly in front of the breech-block. By preference and for convenience in manufacture this enlargement is made of an independent piece of metal, but rigidly and immovably connected to the barrel, so that the two for all practical purposes form one unitary piece. Since its most important function is to serve as one of the complementary members whereby the end of the barrel is held to the stock, a suitable designation as expressing such function is barrel coupling.77 This member is indicated by numeral 13. It has two parallel bores, the upper one, le, ot' which receives the open rear end of the barrel, the connection between the two being a permanent one. The inserted part of the wall of the barrel may be reduced, as shown at 15 in Figs. 4 and 5, so that the upper outer part of the barrel presents a smooth and continuous surface and a clear and undisturbed range for sight purposes. The lower bore 16 receives a cylindrical projection 17 on the front side of breech-block 12, the connection between the two lat-ter parts being rigid, and may also be integral. Then this projection 17 occupies bore 16, the function whereby member 13 couples the barrel to the stock is completed. This connection between members 13 and 1T is a fixed one longitudinally only; but otherwise it permits them to turn on each otherA that is, member 17 may turn within bore 16 IIC the open rear end of the barrel, as shown v.in

Figs. 7 and 11, for insertion of a cartridge forms the loading motion and is carried out 1 either by one or by the other hand, or byv both simultaneously, each performing part of itthat is to say, the rear -or trigger hand gives the stock a sharp turn to the left, while the other `hand holds the forward part of the gun immovable, or the forward hand may give the barrel a quick turn to the right, while the rear hand vvholds the stock. Finally, both hands may be used simultaneously vby working against each other in opposite directions. (See a-rrows in Fig. 3.) W'hen the rear end of the barrel is thus open for access, as shown in Figs. 7 and 11, the rear hand leaves the stock and inserts the cartridge, while the front hand meanwhile support-s the gun. The closing manipulation is performed in' the same manner only in opposite direction. The two complementary parts of this connectionthat is, pivot 17'and coupling 13-are keptin engagement lengthwise b v certain `mea-ns, which are removable to permit -a quick and ready detachment and separation of the gun at 'its coupling-joint to reduce its bulk for packing or shipping purposes. For such detachable connection l use a sectional ring or collar 18, W'hich occupies an annular groove 119 in pivot 17, lthe arrangement being such that' said collar while occupying its groove bears also simultaneously 'against the end of the surrounding barrel-coupling, thus preventing yseparation of the Aengaged complementary parts. vThe two sections of this co'l-v lar are hinged to each other, so that when laterally open, as best shown vin dottedA lines in Fig. 9, pivot 17 may be withdrawn from bore 16 and the gun separated in two parts. This can be done, however, only when the gun is open-that is, with its 'parts in position for loading, as shown in Figs. 7 or ll-because otherwise and when closed an additional lock, which also holds these parts to each other lengthwise, prevents such separation at that time. 'This additional coupling-lock consists of a locking-hook 21, projecting rearwardly from the open rear end ofthe barrel-coupling and iitted into a corresponding groove 22 in the upper part of the breech-block. This groove is 'laterally open at its ends to permit this hook to swing in and out during loading. This additional lock or breech-block couplingl holds the breech-block firmly against the ope-n end of the barrel, so as to resist the recoil during the act of tiring. Sectional collar 18 may be held closed by any suitable means,

but preferably by the rear end or ferrule 23 of thefore-stock 24, which stock on its upper side is concaved so as to'fit against the under side of the barrel and against the outside of said ring, thus holding this latter closed. This fore-stock is held in position against the under side of the barrel and against the enlargement atits rear end by a snap-lock consisting of a catch-lug or keeper 25 on the under side of the barrel and a spring-bolt 26, carried in a recess in the upper side of the fore-stock. l(See Fig'. 4.) The engagement is a yielding one which is sufficient for the purpose, since no strain or manipulation occurs tending to separate this member from the barrel, while a positive action or pull on its forward end readily loosens the fore-stock in a manner as best shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. This gives access to collar 18 and permits after its removal separation of the gun at pivot 17 in its twomain parts-that is, barrel and stockwithout the use of tools. To lock these two parts of the gun to each other against rotation about pivot 17 and to hold them in normal position, especially after loaded, there is a positive locking-stop in shape of a pin 27, seated so as to be free to slide lengthwise in a bore 28 in coupling member 13, with a` spring Q9 Abehind it which normally holds its end within a socket 31 in the front face of breech-block 12. lts other end is engaged by gun, where it is connected to a thumb-piece l 341, so located as to be in convenient reach and right under the hand supporting the front part of the gun. (See dotted lines in Fig. 1.) By sliding this `thumb-piece forward the coupled parts of the gun may be unlocked for pivotal rotation about the pivotal couplingjoint, as before described, to permit loading, and this unlocking and subsequent loading may be performed without lowering the gun from its firing position or changing position of hands. To provide for smooth working, this rod 32 slides Linder and against a metallic surface which is provided by a forward extension 35 of ferrule 23, and recess 33 is also lined with 4'metal which is simply a continuation of this extension, both being litted and embedded into 'the wood of the fore-stock. The connection of this rod 82 to the front end of lockingpin 27 is by means of an-open fork 86, so that the detachment of the fore-stock, as before described, and shown in dotted linesin Fig. 2, is not interfered with by this connection. Likewise when put together these parts readily lind their engaging position. There is an additional stop in shape of another pin 37, also seated in a bore in the barrel-coupling and spring-actuated, its function being to limit the rotary manipulation of the gun when thev same is opened for loading, to prevent this motion from going beyond necessary limits, and to arrest it when the parts are in proper position for loading, after which it holds them so. This occurs when the end of IOO opened for loading.

this stop arrives opposite a socket 38 in the face of the breech-block, into which socket it is then projected by means of spring 39 behind it. This stop is not a positive one. however; but by beveling the end of pin 37 the same by a slightly-increased effort or sharp twist may be forced out of this socket. Then the gun is opened for loading, the resistance presented by this pin after it has slid into and occupies its socket is sufficient indication to the manipulator that the gun is sufficiently open for loading, and no further effort need be made. Frequent use soon educates the hand to readily feel and hold this position.

For closing by means of a sharp turn this re- `by the hammer 43 when the same descends.

This latter is pivotally seated in the lockframe 44, embedded in the gun-stock and held in customary. manner by screws, rivets, or otherwise. .Trigger 45 is also pivoted within this lock-frame and projects outwardly from the under side of the same. It is surrounded by the customary trigg'er-guard 46, also connected to this lock-frame.

The cocking of the hammer is effected by the manipulation whereby the gun is opened for loading. It is done by a cam 47 (shown best in Figs. 6 and 11) and upon which heel 48 of the hammer rests and which cam is held stationary with reference to the lateral motion of the hammer when the same, with the breech-block and gun-stock, is carried sidewise during the motion whereby the gun is This cam is carried at one end of a rod 49, seated in an axial bore of pivot 17. It passes entirely 'through this latter and also through the breech-block 12, but has no further connection with these parts. Its axis being coincident with the axis of rotation of the parts of the gun-coupling', it neither interferes with no1' modifies the function of these parts. Its other end is seated in a post 51, afhxed to the barrel and held therein against rotation by a set-screw or by being' squared, so that this rod 49 during the opposite movements, when the gun is opened for loading, becomes a part of and moves with the forward portion of the gun and by cam 47 at its other end furnishes the element which encounters the hammer and by its opposite action raises the same. This automatic cocking of the hammer also sets-that is, compressesmainspring52, which is contained in acounterbore within pivot 17 and furnishes the energy necessary to produce the forcibleimpact whereby the released hammer strikes the firing-pin. This setting is obtained by means of a forkshaped pusher 53, the two members of which passing1 through the enlarged opening in the breech-block straddle the end of rod 49 in front of cam 47 and rest in notches in one end of a sliding' head 54, mounted so as to be free to move on rod 49 and against the other side of which spring 52 bears. As will be seen, this spring is a spiral coil-spring and encirclcs rod 49. The other end of this pusher, where the two members of it are united rests pivotally in a circular notch 55 in hub 56 of the hammer, so that when this hub turns while the hammer is being raised this pusher is moved against head 54, forcing the same against spring 52, and compresses the same. 1n due time a notch 57 in the edge of theham mer-hub 56 arrives opposite the end of trigger-heel 58, held against such edge by a coil-spring' 59, and permits the trigger to snap in and engage the hammer, holding' it againstl the action of spring 52. The parts are so arranged that this engagement takes place when the hammer is fullycocked, which occurs at the end of the movement whereby the gun is opened for loading. Then the vgun is now closed again, the trigger holds the hammer `elevated against compressed spring 52 and the gun is ready for firing. Head 54 in addition to being' free to slide on rod 49 is also free to rotate about the same, (see Fig'. 11,) so that when the complementary parts of the guncoupling turn about their pivot 17 the pusher 53, forming a connected part of the hammer and like it contained in the gunstock, may readily move with the same by turning head 54 about rod 49.l which latter belongs to and rotates with the forward parts of the gun.

As will be seen, the gun cannot be opened for loading without causing' thehammer to become cocked. To avoid leaving' the gun in cocked condition when not to be fired at once, the hammer may be let down by closing the gun slowly and holding at the same time the trigger back. To cock the gun again, it would now be necessary to repeat the openingmanipulation again the same as for loading. To avoid this, I have positive means for cocking the hammer consisting of a thumb-piece 61, fitted with a sliding lit into ways provided in a recess in the upper part of the gun-stock above the hammer and having on its under side a hook 62, which engag'es when pulled back a notch 68 at the upper end of the front edge of the hammer. 'A coil-spring 64 returns and holds 'this slide to a normal position ready for use and in which position it also closes the recess below to keep dust and rain out of the g'unlock. 1t has no outwardly-projecting parts and is fiush with the gun-stock, so as to present no obstructions.

Accidents by premature discharge of the cocked g'un may be prevented by a safety-bar 65 occupying normally a recess 66 in the rear IOO IIO

face of the breech-block and flush with the same. It is mounted on a shaft 67, supported in the breech-block, and may be manipulated by means of a handle 68, accessible on the outside. When swung out to aposition as shown in Fig. 4, it projects into the path of the' descending hammer and prevents this latter from reaching the firing-pin.

69 is the shell-extractor, consisting of aat plate fitted into a recess in the rear end of the barrel in a manner to be liush with all surfaces thereof, the same as if it were an integral part. The inner edge of this plate forms a part of the circumferential edge around the bore of the barrel, it being shaped exactly like such edge, so that it will be in front of the rim of an inserted cartridge and capable of engaging such rim. (See Fig. 7.) It is carried at the end of a shank 71, fitted into a bore in barrel-coupling 13, and has a spring 7 2 behind it tending to project it rearwardlythat is, outwardly and away from the open end of the barrel. Normally it is kept in position against the end of the barrel by the front face of the breech-block when the gun is closed, so that when opened for reloading after firing the swinging aside of the breechblock at once releases the extractor and allows the spring behind it to throw it forciblyi outwardly, as shown in Fig. 12, taking necessarily the shell with it. returned again to normal position to be ready for action and also to permit closing of the gun. This return movement of it may be simultaneous with the insertion of acartridge,` the rim of the latter taking the extractor in with it, or it may be by an independent pushing manipulation by hand, which precedes such insertion or when no loading takes place. To hold the extractor in position after so pushed in until the gun is closed, after which the breech-block holds it, there is a hook 73 at its other end, which when the extractor is pushed in moves against a spring-catch 74, displacing the same iirst-that is, pushing it slightly to one side, so as to be caught thereby after having passed beyond it and when this spring-catch straightens itself out to-normal position. This engagement is, however, merely a temporary one and simply for the purpose to hold the extractor back until the gun is closed, after which the breech-block assumes this function. This engagementmust therefore be broken again to release the extractor from catch 74 and to put it into a condition in which it is free tooperate instantly when released by the laterally-moving breechblock when the gun is opened for reloading. This is done by a suitable projection in form of a cam or pin 7 5 on the outer free end of pivot 17, with which it moves when said pivot rotates during the opening and closing manipulation of the gun. This cam during the last part of the closing movement of the gun is now carried against this catch 74 and pushes It must of course bey the same sidewise and away from under hook 73 on the end of the extractor-stem. 1t also hQlds it so, so that the extractor is now free from interference by it and may operate instantly and whenever released by the breechblock. (See Fig. 9.) During the opening movement of the gun for loading after firing cam 7 5 releases again this catch 74, so that this latter is free and ready to again temporarily hold the extractor when the sameis pushed in before the gun is closed, as before described. Shank 76 of this catch 74 is of elastic material-that is, spring metal-and is set in a bore 77 in barrel-coupling 13 of suflicient size to permit the necessary lateral movements-of the catch inv two directions.

Extractor or shells are liable to stick sometimes, in which case spring 72 might not have sufcient force to throw the extractor out automatically and overcome in addition also this obstruction. For such emergencies I provide means operating positively by pulling the extractor forcibly out from its barrel. These means consist of an angle-lever pivoted ina recess inY the rear face of the gun--that is,l in the surface contiguous to and in front of the breech-block. One end 78 of this lever reaches under the extractor. The other end 7 9 projects outwardly from this surface and into a groove 81 in the opposite surface, which is the face of the breech-block. This groove is circular and concentric with the center of rotation of the gun-coupling, so as not to interfere with this motion.k It is also of sufficient length for such purpose so as not to interfere with the complete opening of the gun. This length is, however, so arranged that before the gun is completely opened the end of this groove strikes the projecting end 79 of the angle-lever and tilts the same, whereby the other end 78 is moved outwardly and takes the extractor with it, provided it is still there by reason of the force of spring 72 having been insuflicient to expel it before.` It is essential that in its movements in and out the extractor move accurately to come always to a seat snugly within its recess in the end of the barrel, so as not to obstruct the closing movement of the gun. This could be done by having its shank 71 square and fitted accordingly into the barrel-coupling. I prefer to use a short guide-rod 82, arranged parallel to shank 71 and fitted into a bore in the barrel-coupling, in which it moves in and out with the extractor. By being some distance away from shank 7l the extractor is held at two different points, and thus kept straight during its movements.

The under side of the front end of the hammer which is in contact with cam 47 may carry a ball 83 to reduce the friction.

By providing a recess 84 on the right side of the gun-stock and breech-block (see Figs. 7 and 11) to permit insertionV of a cartridge the more extensive opening movement of the IIO gun otherwise necessary to permit loading is avoided and such movement correspondingly reduced. Y

As will be seen,onl,v spiral springs are used, all flat springs are avoided, the gun is con veniently manipulated for quick loading' and may be readily taken'down-that is, separatedA without requiring removal of screws or the assistance of' tools.

Having described my invention, l claim as new- 1. In a firearm, the combination ofl a barrel open at its rear end, a breech-block fitted against this end, a pivot projecting' from the face of' the breech-block and arranged parallel to the barrel, an enlargement on the under side of this latter, a bore in this enlargement tted to receive said pivot, a locking-collar consisting of' two sections hinged to each other at the end of' the pivot where the same projects through this bore and means to hold this collar to the pivot.

2. `In a firearm, the combination of abarrel open at its rear end, a lateral enlargement of the barrel at this end, a bore in this enlargement parallel to the barrel and open at both ends, a breech-block fitted against this enlarged end, a gun-stock secured to one side of the breech-block, a pivot projecting from its other side and fitted into the bore adjacent to the barrel so as to project beyond this bore, a groove in this projecting end, a collar, consisting of two sections hinged to each other and fitted into this groove and a fore-stock fitted detachably against the barrel and the sectional collar in a manner to hold the same in place within such groove.

3. In a firearm, the combination of a barrel open at its rear end, a breech-block fitted against this end, a pivot projecting from the face of the breech-block and arranged parallel to the barrel, an enlargement on the under side of' this latter bored to receive this pivot and whereby barrel and breech-block are connected to each other permitting one to move laterally with reference to the other and transversely across the open barrel, means to confine this pivot within its bore, a gun-stock attached to the breech-block, a fore-stock detachably attached to the barrel and by meansl of which stock the two parts of' the gun may be manipulated in opposite directions about their coupling-joint, a locking-stop carried in the enlarged part of the barrel, a socket in the breech-block which it occupies when the gun is closed, a spring operating to normally hold this locking-stop in such position, a pullrod provided at one end with an open fork whereby it is detachably connected to this stop and extending forwardly into the forestock, a thumb-piece on the other end of this rod and a recess in the side of' the fore-stock into which this thumb-piece is fitted so as to be accessible and free to slide for the purpose of permitting unlocking of the gun.

4. In a firearm, the combination of' a barrel, a gun-stock, a recess in this latter back ofthe barrel, a hammer pivotally supported in this recess, an accessible spring actuated slide fitted in this recess, so as to close the same iiush with the gun-stock and to cover the hammer below.l a projection on the under side of' the slide adapted to engage the hammer so that movement of' this slide cocks the hammer, a releasable trigger adapted to hold the hammer after cocked and a spring' adapted to be compressed by the cockingof' the hammer.

5. ln a firearm, the combination of' a barrel open at its rear end, a breech-block fitted against such end, a hollow pivot by which it is held thereto in a manner to swing transversely across such open end, a gun-stock connected to the breech-block, a hammer mounted back of' this latter in the gun-stock, a projection on the hammer, a rod within this hollow pivot, a post l projecting from the under side of the barrel whereby this rod is 'rigidly held to the barrel and stationary with reference to the gun-stock, and a cam projecting from the inner end of this rod and adapted to engage the projection on the hammer, so as to raise the same when the gunstock is turned with reference to the barrel to open the gun for loading.

6. 1n a firearm, the combination of a barrel open at its rear end, a lateral enlargement of' the barrel at this end, a bore in this enlargement parallel to the barrel, a breech-block fitted with one side against this enlarged end, a pivot projecting from this side and fitted into the bore mentioned, a gun-stock connected to the other side of' the breech-block, a hammer pivotally supported in the gun-stock, means to cock the same, a spiral spring seated in a bore within this pivot and intermediate means whereby the cooking of'A the hammer causes compression of' this spiral spring.

7. In a firearm, the combination ot' a barrel open at its rear end, a lateral enlargement of' the barrel at this end, al bore in this enlargement parallel to the barrel and open at both IOO IIO

ends, a breech-block fitted with one sideA against this enlarged end, a longitudinallyperforated pivot projecting from this side and fitted into the bore mentioned, a gun-stock connected to the other side of the breech-block, a hammer pivotally supported in the gunstock. a rod extending through the hollow pivot and terminating in front of' the hammer', the same connected to one end so as to turn with the barrel, a cam at its other end, a projection on the hammer adapted to engage this cam when the hammer is turned with the gunstock, thereby raising this hammer, a spiral spring encircling this rod, a sliding' head on this latter and means whereby the raising of the hammer pushes this head against this spring in a manner to compress the same.

8. In a breech-loading firearm, the combination of' a barrel open at its end, a recess in this end open outwardly as well as toward the bore of the barrel, a shell-ejector fitted into this recess, a shank on which it is mounted, a springtending to move the same away from its recess, a breech-block fitted adj ustabl y against the open end of the barrel to permit access thereto for loading and to close the same thereafter and to hold the ejector against its spring and ready for action, the rear end of the barrel being enlarged and provided with two bores, parallel to each other and to the aXis of the barrel, one of these bores being occupied by the ejector-shank and a guide-rod 82, fitted to occupy the other bore and attached to the ejector to guide the same in proper position during action.

9. In a breech-loading firearm, the combination of a barrel open at its end, a recess in this end open outwardly as well as toward the bore of the barrel, a shell-ejector fitted into this recess, a shank on which it is mounted, a spring tending to move the same away from its recess, a breech-block fitted against the open end of the barrel, a pivot whereby it is mounted in a manner to have a transverse movement with reference to the barrel to close thevopen end of the same and to hold the ejector in p0- sition against the compressed spring so as to be free to be expelled thereby when the breech- 30 block releases the same, when the gun is opened whereby this closing of the gun detaches this spring-catch to leave the ejector free for action.

1 0. In abreech-loading firearm, the combination of a barrel open at its end, a recess in this end open outwardly as well as toward the bore of the barrel, a shell-ejector fittedV into this recess, a shank on which itis mounted, a breech-block fitted against the open end of the barrel, a pivot whereby it is mounted in a manner to have a transverse movement with referencefto the barrel to open or close the end thereof, an angle-lever supported in the barrel end and engaging the ejector by projecting with one of its ends Linder the same and means on the adjoining face of the breechblock engaging the other end of this anglelever whereby motion of this breech-block for opening the barrel operates the ejector.

In testimony whereof l hereunto set my signature 1n the presence of two wltnesses.

PETER F. ZEISE.

Witnesses:

WVM. H. BURFORD, F. G. HUNKER. 

